XV Progress in Motor Control
Download Programme (PDF) Download Transportation Schedule (PDF)Keynote Speakers
We will offer 1.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for All participants attending the XV PMC conference scientific sessions.
Programme
XV Progress in Motor Control: “Crossroads between Neurophysiology and Applications”
DAY 1, June 30 (Monday) – Auditorium at the Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences (CBLS #100)
- 07:30 – 12:00 Registration, CBLS Lobby (Poster setup)
- 07:30 – 08:45 Continental Breakfast, CBLS Foyer
- 08:00 – 17:00 Exhibitors, CBLS Lobby
- 09:00 – 09:15 Opening remarks
- Chair of the Organizing Committee: Mariusz Furmanek, PhD, PT
- Dean of the CHS: Patrick Vivier, MD, PhD
- President of the URI: Marc B. Parlange, PhD
- President of the ISMC: Gene Tunik, PhD, PT
PART I: THEORETICAL ADVANCES IN MOTOR CONTROL
- Chairs: Mindy F. Levin, PhD, PT & Gene Tunik, PhD, PT
- 09:15 – 09:40 Mark L. Latash, PhD: Origins of processes within the uncontrolled manifold
- 09:40 – 10:05 Jonathan R. Wolpaw, MD: Heksor: The CNS substrate of a skilled behavior
10:05 – 10:45 Coffee break, CBLS Foyer
- Chairs: Shirley Handelzalts, PT, PhD & Reza Shadmehr, PhD
- 10:45 – 11:10 Alaa A. Ahmed, PhD: Movement slowing and rational decision making in healthy aging
- 11:10 – 11:35 Edward Large, PhD: Musical neurodynamics
- 11:35 – 12:00 David A. Rosenbaum, PhD: Preparedness in thought and action
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch – Mainfare Dining Hall (Hope Commons, 19 Butterfield Rd)
13:00 – 15:00 POSTER SESSION I: “Motor control theory and mechanisms” – CBLS Foyer
PART II: MOTOR LEARNING AND NEURAL PLASTICITY
- Chairs: Giselle M. Petzinger, MD & Stuart N. Baker, PhD
- 15:00 – 15:25 Gene Tunik, PhD, PT: Posterior parietal contributions to motor learning
- 15:25 – 15:50 Michael Vesia, PhD: Effects of multi-day state-dependent parietal intermittent theta burst stimulation on the motor control network
- 15:50 – 16:15 Daniela Corbetta, PhD: Body mapping and the development of goal-directed reaching in infancy
- 16:15 – 16:40 Raoul M. Bongers, PhD: Searching for new coordinative structures in degrees of freedom space
16:40 – 16:50 Q&A
17:30 – 20:00 Welcome Reception, CBLS lower lobby
DAY 2, JULY 1 (TUESDAY) – Auditorium at the Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences (CBLS #100)
- 07:30 – 12:00 Registration, CBLS Lobby
- 07:30 – 08:30 Continental Breakfast, CBLS Foyer
- 08:30 – 08:45 Yoga Session I: “Breathwork for mindfulness”, CBLS #010
- 08:00 – 16:00 Exhibitors, CBLS Lobby
PART III: ADVANCES IN UNDERSTANDING NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS
- Chairs: Alaa A. Ahmed, PhD & Mark L. Latash, PhD
- 09:00 – 09:25 Stuart N. Baker, PhD: Relative contributions of corticospinal and reticulospinal tracts to control of the primate upper limb
- 09:25 – 09:50 Reza Shadmehr, PhD: The potent vectors of the cerebellum
- 09:50 – 10:15 Mathew Yarossi, PhD: Measuring corticospinal recruitment gain with TMS
10:15 – 10:45 Coffee break, CBLS Foyer
- Chairs: Daniela Corbetta, PhD & Jonathan R. Wolpaw, MD
- 10:45 – 11:10 Cristian Cuadra, PhD, PT: The dual roles of vestibulospinal reflexes: excitatory and inhibitory influences on limb muscle activity
- 11:10 – 11:35 Richard E.A. van Emmerik, PhD: Locomotor coordination, shock attenuation and dynamic visual acuity
- 11:35 – 12:00 2025 Early Career Award Presentation
Greg Pearcey, PhD, CSEP-CE: Decoding human motoneuron firing behaviour illuminates diversity in movement control
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch – Mainfare Dining Hall (Hope Commons, 19 Butterfield Rd)
12:10 – 13:00 ISMC Board Meeting, CBLS #152
PART IV: MOTOR DISORDERS MECHANISMS AND REHABILITATION
- Chairs: Ela Plow, PhD & Raoul M. Bongers, PhD
- 13:00 – 13:25 Michael W. Jakowec, PhD: Astrocytes bridging motor behavior and synaptic plasticity in Parkinson’s Disease
- 13.25 – 13:50 Brooke Dexheimer, PhD, OTD, OTR/L: Multimodal approaches for identifying lateralized motor learning mechanisms and their implications in early Parkinson’s Disease
- 13:50 – 14:15 Giselle M. Petzinger, MD: The association of cognitive and motor performance in Parkinson’s Disease: understanding the role of cerebellum and related circuitry
14:15 – 14:45 Coffee break, CBLS Foyer
- Chairs: Monica A. Perez, PhD & Danielle Piscitelli, PhD, PT
- 14:45 – 15:10 Aiko K. Thompson, PhD: Non-invasive neurobehavioral training to improve motor behaviors and functions of the targeted pathway in CNS disorders
- 15:10 – 15:35 Evangelos A. Christou, PhD: Ataxic symptoms in essential tremor: can DBS help?
- 15:35 – 16:00 Andrea L. Behrman, PhD, PT, FAPTA: The lens matters: walking recovery after pediatric spinal cord injury
16:00 – 16:10 Q&A
Free time (Newport, Narragansett, Providence)
Dinner on your own (make sure to make a reservation)
DAY 3, JULY 2 (WEDNESDAY) – Auditorium at the Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences (CBLS #100)
- 07:30 – 12:00 Registration, CBLS Lobby (Poster setup)
- 07:30 – 08:00 Yoga Session II: “Body awareness” (outdoor in front of the CBLS)
- 07:30 – 08:45 Continental Breakfast, CBLS Foyer
- 08:00 – 15:00 Exhibitors, CBLS Lobby
PART V: RECOVERY OF MOTOR FUNCTION
- Chairs: Brooke Dexheimer, PhD, OTD, OTR/L & Michael Vesia, PhD
- 09:00 – 09:25 Mindy F. Levin, PhD, PT: Translation of motor control principles to functional movement improvement after stroke
- 09:25 – 09:50 Monica A. Perez, PhD: Strategies to maximize functional restoration following spinal cord injury09:50 – 10:15
- Danielle Piscitelli, PhD, PT: Motor control as a pathway to recovery in neurorehabilitation
10:15 – 10:45 Coffee break, CBLS Foyer
- Chairs: Andrea L. Behrman, PhD, PT, FAPTA & Michael W. Jakowec, PhD
- 10:45 – 11:10 Shirley Handelzalts, PT, PhD: Understanding lower-limb coordination deficits to facilitate gait recovery after stroke
- 11:10 – 11:35 Ela Plow, PhD: The undamaged motor cortex in stroke: friend or foe?
- 11:35 – 12:00 Manuel F. DaSilva, MD: Hand control: intersection of biomechanics, motor control, and implications for clinical practice
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch, CBLS Foyer
12:15 – 13:15 Journal of Motor Control Board Meeting, CBLS #152
13:00 – 15:00 POSTER SESSION II “Motor impairments and rehabilitation” – CBLS Foyer
- 15:00 – 15:30 2025 Bernstein Prize Presentation
Introduction: Mark L. Latash, PhD
T. Richard Nichols, PhD: Determinants of the force-length characteristic - 15:30 – 15:35 Annual General Meeting Presentation – President of the ISMC: Gene Tunik, PhD, PT
- 15:35 – 15:40 Best Poster Presentation Awards
PART VI: HISTORY AND FUTURE OF THE EQUILIBRIUM-POINT HYPOTHESIS
(Tribute to Anatol G. Feldman, PhD)
- 15:40 – 15:50 David A. Rosenbaum, PhD
- 15:50 – 16:00 Mindy F. Levin, PhD, PT
- 16:00 – 16:10 Gene Tunik, PhD, PT
- 16:10 – 16:20 Danielle Piscitelli, PhD, PT
- 16:20 – 16:30 Raoul M. Bongers, PhD
- 16:30 – 16:40 Mark L. Latash, PhD
- 16:40 – 16:50 Concluding statement by Anatol G. Feldman, PhD
18:30 – 19:00 Aperitif (Mosby Center, 230 S Ferry Rd)
19:00 – 21:00 Closing dinner, (Mosby Center, 230 S Ferry Rd), dress code: smart casual
Yoga Sessions
Day 2 (Tuesday) – “Breathwork for mindfulness”
8:30–8:45 AM (15-minute guided practice).
Location: CBLS010
Participants will experience how controlled breathing can quickly calm the nervous system and sharpen mental focus. We will practice seated on chairs and any attire is welcome.
Day 3 (Wednesday) – Gentle Yoga for body awareness
7:30–8:00 AM (30-minute guided session).
Location: Outdoor if weather permits, otherwise room #152
Participants will experience the importance of connecting breath to movement. Through detailed alignment cues, we explore how subtle changes in body configuration can significantly shift kinesthetic perception. Loose-fitting or comfortable clothing is recommended. Yoga mats will be provided.